diff --git a/.nextchanges/bundles/empty-alias-minimal.md b/.nextchanges/bundles/empty-alias-minimal.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c7cd17477c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.nextchanges/bundles/empty-alias-minimal.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Simplified the `default-minimal` bundle template and added an alias `databricks bundle init empty` ([#5899](https://github.com/databricks/cli/pull/5899)).
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/input.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/input.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c620c3159b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/input.json
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+    "project_name": "my_default_minimal",
+    "language_choice": "python"
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/out.test.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/out.test.toml
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/out.test.toml
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/out.test.toml
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output.txt
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output.txt
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
similarity index 53%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..b958aacfcb4 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/README.md b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
similarity index 87%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
index 4304687ae33..8af9ac7e000 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
@@ -2,8 +2,11 @@
 
 The 'my_default_minimal' project was generated by using the default-minimal template.
 
-* `src/`: SQL source code for this project.
+* `src/`: Python source code for this project.
 * `resources/`:  Resource configurations (jobs, pipelines, etc.)
+* `tests/`: Unit tests for the shared Python code.
+* `fixtures/`: Fixtures for data sets (primarily used for testing).
+
 
 ## Getting started
 
@@ -52,3 +55,8 @@ with this project. It's also possible to interact with it directly using the CLI
    ```
    $ databricks bundle run
    ```
+
+5. Finally, to run tests locally, use `pytest`:
+   ```
+   $ uv run pytest
+   ```
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/fixtures/.gitkeep b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/fixtures/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..77a906614cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/fixtures/.gitkeep
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Test fixtures directory
+
+Add JSON or CSV files here. In tests, use them with `load_fixture()`:
+
+```
+def test_using_fixture(load_fixture):
+    data = load_fixture("my_data.json")
+    assert len(data) >= 1
+```
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/pyproject.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4678f9c4368
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+[project]
+name = "my_default_minimal"
+version = "0.0.1"
+authors = [{ name = "[USERNAME]" }]
+requires-python = ">=3.10,<3.13"
+dependencies = [
+    # Any dependencies for jobs and pipelines in this project can be added here
+    # See also https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/library-dependencies
+    #
+    # LIMITATION: for pipelines, dependencies are cached during development;
+    # add dependencies to the 'environment' section of your pipeline.yml file instead
+]
+
+[dependency-groups]
+dev = [
+    "pytest",
+    "ruff",
+    "databricks-dlt",
+    "databricks-connect>=15.4,<15.5",
+    "ipykernel",
+]
+
+[project.scripts]
+main = "my_default_minimal.main:main"
+
+[build-system]
+requires = ["hatchling"]
+build-backend = "hatchling.build"
+
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["src"]
+
+[tool.ruff]
+line-length = 120
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/tests/conftest.py b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/tests/conftest.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..72ebfeb5666
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/output/my_default_minimal/tests/conftest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+"""This file configures pytest, initializes Databricks Connect, and provides fixtures for Spark and loading test data."""
+
+import os, sys, pathlib
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+
+
+try:
+    from databricks.connect import DatabricksSession
+    from databricks.sdk import WorkspaceClient
+    from pyspark.sql import SparkSession
+    import pytest
+    import json
+    import csv
+    import os
+except ImportError:
+    raise ImportError(
+        "Test dependencies not found.\n\nRun tests using 'uv run pytest'. See http://docs.astral.sh/uv to learn more about uv."
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def spark() -> SparkSession:
+    """Provide a SparkSession fixture for tests.
+
+    Minimal example:
+        def test_uses_spark(spark):
+            df = spark.createDataFrame([(1,)], ["x"])
+            assert df.count() == 1
+    """
+    return DatabricksSession.builder.getOrCreate()
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def load_fixture(spark: SparkSession):
+    """Provide a callable to load JSON or CSV from fixtures/ directory.
+
+    Example usage:
+
+        def test_using_fixture(load_fixture):
+            data = load_fixture("my_data.json")
+            assert data.count() >= 1
+    """
+
+    def _loader(filename: str):
+        path = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.parent / "fixtures" / filename
+        suffix = path.suffix.lower()
+        if suffix == ".json":
+            rows = json.loads(path.read_text())
+            return spark.createDataFrame(rows)
+        if suffix == ".csv":
+            with path.open(newline="") as f:
+                rows = list(csv.DictReader(f))
+            return spark.createDataFrame(rows)
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported fixture type for: {filename}")
+
+    return _loader
+
+
+def _enable_fallback_compute():
+    """Enable serverless compute if no compute is specified."""
+    conf = WorkspaceClient().config
+    if conf.serverless_compute_id or conf.cluster_id or os.environ.get("SPARK_REMOTE"):
+        return
+
+    url = "https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/databricks-connect/cluster-config"
+    print("☁️ no compute specified, falling back to serverless compute", file=sys.stderr)
+    print(f"  see {url} for manual configuration", file=sys.stdout)
+
+    os.environ["DATABRICKS_SERVERLESS_COMPUTE_ID"] = "auto"
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def _allow_stderr_output(config: pytest.Config):
+    """Temporarily disable pytest output capture."""
+    capman = config.pluginmanager.get_plugin("capturemanager")
+    if capman:
+        with capman.global_and_fixture_disabled():
+            yield
+    else:
+        yield
+
+
+def pytest_configure(config: pytest.Config):
+    """Configure pytest session."""
+    with _allow_stderr_output(config):
+        _enable_fallback_compute()
+
+        # Initialize Spark session eagerly, so it is available even when
+        # SparkSession.builder.getOrCreate() is used. For DB Connect 15+,
+        # we validate version compatibility with the remote cluster.
+        if hasattr(DatabricksSession.builder, "validateSession"):
+            DatabricksSession.builder.validateSession().getOrCreate()
+        else:
+            DatabricksSession.builder.getOrCreate()
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/script b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/script
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/script
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/python/script
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/input.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/input.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b66e679822d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/input.json
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+{
+    "project_name": "my_default_minimal",
+    "language_choice": "skip"
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/out.test.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/out.test.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f784a183258
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/out.test.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Local = true
+Cloud = false
+EnvMatrix.DATABRICKS_BUNDLE_ENGINE = ["terraform", "direct"]
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..06eb69b9a11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle init default-minimal --config-file ./input.json --output-dir output
+Welcome to the minimal Declarative Automation Bundle template!
+
+This template creates a minimal project structure without sample code, ideal for advanced users.
+(For getting started with Python or SQL code, use the default-python or default-sql templates instead.)
+
+Your workspace at [DATABRICKS_URL] is used for initialization.
+(See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/profiles.html for how to change your profile.)
+
+✨ Your new project has been created in the 'my_default_minimal' directory!
+
+To get started, refer to the project README.md file and the documentation at https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html.
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle validate -t dev
+Name: my_default_minimal
+Target: dev
+Workspace:
+  Host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+  User: [USERNAME]
+  Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/my_default_minimal/dev
+
+Validation OK!
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle validate -t prod
+Name: my_default_minimal
+Target: prod
+Workspace:
+  Host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+  User: [USERNAME]
+  Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/my_default_minimal/prod
+
+Validation OK!
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
similarity index 53%
rename from libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/extensions.json
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..1f39c330871 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d3e814885cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+    "files.associations": {
+        "**/.gitkeep": "markdown"
+    },
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/README.md b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..420f11cf53b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# my_default_minimal
+
+The 'my_default_minimal' project was generated by using the default-minimal template.
+
+* `src/`: Any source code for this project.
+* `resources/`:  Resource configurations (jobs, pipelines, etc.)
+
+## Getting started
+
+Choose how you want to work on this project:
+
+(a) Directly in your Databricks workspace, see
+    https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/workspace.
+
+(b) Locally with an IDE like Cursor or VS Code, see
+    https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/vscode-ext.html.
+
+(c) With command line tools, see https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/databricks-cli.html
+
+# Using this project using the CLI
+
+The Databricks workspace and IDE extensions provide a graphical interface for working
+with this project. It's also possible to interact with it directly using the CLI:
+
+1. Authenticate to your Databricks workspace, if you have not done so already:
+    ```
+    $ databricks configure
+    ```
+
+2. To deploy a development copy of this project, type:
+    ```
+    $ databricks bundle deploy --target dev
+    ```
+    (Note that "dev" is the default target, so the `--target` parameter
+    is optional here.)
+
+    This deploys everything that's defined for this project.
+
+3. Similarly, to deploy a production copy, type:
+   ```
+   $ databricks bundle deploy --target prod
+   ```
+
+4. To run a job or pipeline, use the "run" command:
+   ```
+   $ databricks bundle run
+   ```
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ec72bde8b31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# This is a Declarative Automation Bundle definition for my_default_minimal.
+# See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html for documentation.
+bundle:
+  name: my_default_minimal
+  uuid: [UUID]
+
+include:
+  - resources/*.yml
+
+# Variable declarations. These variables are assigned in the dev/prod targets below.
+variables:
+  catalog:
+    description: The catalog to use
+  schema:
+    description: The schema to use
+
+targets:
+  dev:
+    # The default target uses 'mode: development' to create a development copy.
+    # - Deployed resources get prefixed with '[dev my_user_name]'
+    # - Any job schedules and triggers are paused by default.
+    # See also https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/deployment-modes.html.
+    mode: development
+    default: true
+    workspace:
+      host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+    variables:
+      catalog: hive_metastore
+      schema: ${workspace.current_user.short_name}
+  prod:
+    mode: production
+    workspace:
+      host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+      # We explicitly deploy to /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME] to make sure we only have a single copy.
+      root_path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/${bundle.name}/${bundle.target}
+    variables:
+      catalog: hive_metastore
+      schema: prod
+    permissions:
+      - user_name: [USERNAME]
+        level: CAN_MANAGE
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..622a8811a7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+.databricks/
+scratch/**
+!scratch/README.md
+**/explorations/**
+**/!explorations/README.md
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/script b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/script
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bce20c6ed9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/skip/script
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+trace $CLI bundle init default-minimal --config-file ./input.json --output-dir output
+
+cd output/my_default_minimal
+
+# Verify that empty directories are preserved
+[ -d "src" ] || exit 1
+[ -d "resources" ] || exit 1
+
+trace $CLI bundle validate -t dev
+trace $CLI bundle validate -t prod
+
+# Do not affect this repository's git behaviour #2318
+mv .gitignore out.gitignore
+rm -r .databricks
+
+cd ../../
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/input.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/input.json
similarity index 100%
rename from acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/input.json
rename to acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/input.json
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/out.test.toml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/out.test.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f784a183258
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/out.test.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Local = true
+Cloud = false
+EnvMatrix.DATABRICKS_BUNDLE_ENGINE = ["terraform", "direct"]
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output.txt b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..06eb69b9a11
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle init default-minimal --config-file ./input.json --output-dir output
+Welcome to the minimal Declarative Automation Bundle template!
+
+This template creates a minimal project structure without sample code, ideal for advanced users.
+(For getting started with Python or SQL code, use the default-python or default-sql templates instead.)
+
+Your workspace at [DATABRICKS_URL] is used for initialization.
+(See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/profiles.html for how to change your profile.)
+
+✨ Your new project has been created in the 'my_default_minimal' directory!
+
+To get started, refer to the project README.md file and the documentation at https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html.
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle validate -t dev
+Name: my_default_minimal
+Target: dev
+Workspace:
+  Host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+  User: [USERNAME]
+  Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/my_default_minimal/dev
+
+Validation OK!
+
+>>> [CLI] bundle validate -t prod
+Name: my_default_minimal
+Target: prod
+Workspace:
+  Host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+  User: [USERNAME]
+  Path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/my_default_minimal/prod
+
+Validation OK!
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1f39c330871
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+    "recommendations": [
+        "databricks.databricks",
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d3e814885cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+    "files.associations": {
+        "**/.gitkeep": "markdown"
+    },
+}
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/README.md b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ace4bdc7d74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# my_default_minimal
+
+The 'my_default_minimal' project was generated by using the default-minimal template.
+
+* `src/`: SQL source code for this project.
+* `resources/`:  Resource configurations (jobs, pipelines, etc.)
+
+## Getting started
+
+Choose how you want to work on this project:
+
+(a) Directly in your Databricks workspace, see
+    https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/workspace.
+
+(b) Locally with an IDE like Cursor or VS Code, see
+    https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/vscode-ext.html.
+
+(c) With command line tools, see https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/databricks-cli.html
+
+# Using this project using the CLI
+
+The Databricks workspace and IDE extensions provide a graphical interface for working
+with this project. It's also possible to interact with it directly using the CLI:
+
+1. Authenticate to your Databricks workspace, if you have not done so already:
+    ```
+    $ databricks configure
+    ```
+
+2. To deploy a development copy of this project, type:
+    ```
+    $ databricks bundle deploy --target dev
+    ```
+    (Note that "dev" is the default target, so the `--target` parameter
+    is optional here.)
+
+    This deploys everything that's defined for this project.
+
+3. Similarly, to deploy a production copy, type:
+   ```
+   $ databricks bundle deploy --target prod
+   ```
+
+4. To run a job or pipeline, use the "run" command:
+   ```
+   $ databricks bundle run
+   ```
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ec72bde8b31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/databricks.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# This is a Declarative Automation Bundle definition for my_default_minimal.
+# See https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/index.html for documentation.
+bundle:
+  name: my_default_minimal
+  uuid: [UUID]
+
+include:
+  - resources/*.yml
+
+# Variable declarations. These variables are assigned in the dev/prod targets below.
+variables:
+  catalog:
+    description: The catalog to use
+  schema:
+    description: The schema to use
+
+targets:
+  dev:
+    # The default target uses 'mode: development' to create a development copy.
+    # - Deployed resources get prefixed with '[dev my_user_name]'
+    # - Any job schedules and triggers are paused by default.
+    # See also https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/bundles/deployment-modes.html.
+    mode: development
+    default: true
+    workspace:
+      host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+    variables:
+      catalog: hive_metastore
+      schema: ${workspace.current_user.short_name}
+  prod:
+    mode: production
+    workspace:
+      host: [DATABRICKS_URL]
+      # We explicitly deploy to /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME] to make sure we only have a single copy.
+      root_path: /Workspace/Users/[USERNAME]/.bundle/${bundle.name}/${bundle.target}
+    variables:
+      catalog: hive_metastore
+      schema: prod
+    permissions:
+      - user_name: [USERNAME]
+        level: CAN_MANAGE
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..622a8811a7b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/output/my_default_minimal/out.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+.databricks/
+scratch/**
+!scratch/README.md
+**/explorations/**
+**/!explorations/README.md
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/script b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/script
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bce20c6ed9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-minimal/sql/script
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+trace $CLI bundle init default-minimal --config-file ./input.json --output-dir output
+
+cd output/my_default_minimal
+
+# Verify that empty directories are preserved
+[ -d "src" ] || exit 1
+[ -d "resources" ] || exit 1
+
+trace $CLI bundle validate -t dev
+trace $CLI bundle validate -t prod
+
+# Do not affect this repository's git behaviour #2318
+mv .gitignore out.gitignore
+rm -r .databricks
+
+cd ../../
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/classic/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/classic/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..b958aacfcb4 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/classic/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/classic/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/serverless/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/serverless/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..b958aacfcb4 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/serverless/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/default-python/serverless/output/my_default_python/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..b958aacfcb4 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/python/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
deleted file mode 100644
index 0edd5181bc5..00000000000
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-# Typings for Pylance in Visual Studio Code
-# see https://github.com/microsoft/pyright/blob/main/docs/builtins.md
-from databricks.sdk.runtime import *
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..1f39c330871 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/settings.json b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/settings.json
index d73c73b5705..d3e814885cb 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/settings.json
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -1,39 +1,5 @@
 {
-    "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.codeRegex": "^# COMMAND ----------|^# Databricks notebook source|^(#\\s*%%|#\\s*\\<codecell\\>|#\\s*In\\[\\d*?\\]|#\\s*In\\[ \\])",
-    "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.default": "# COMMAND ----------",
-    "python.testing.pytestArgs": [
-        "."
-    ],
-    "files.exclude": {
-        "**/*.egg-info": true,
-        "**/__pycache__": true,
-        ".pytest_cache": true,
-        "dist": true,
-    },
     "files.associations": {
         "**/.gitkeep": "markdown"
     },
-
-    // Pylance settings (VS Code)
-    // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
-    "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "off",
-    "python.analysis.extraPaths": ["src", "lib", "resources"],
-    "python.analysis.diagnosticMode": "workspace",
-    "python.analysis.stubPath": ".vscode",
-
-    // Pyright settings (Cursor)
-    // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "off",
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.extraPaths": ["src", "lib", "resources"],
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.diagnosticMode": "workspace",
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.stubPath": ".vscode",
-
-    // General Python settings
-    "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "./.venv/bin/python",
-    "python.testing.unittestEnabled": false,
-    "python.testing.pytestEnabled": true,
-    "[python]": {
-        "editor.defaultFormatter": "charliermarsh.ruff",
-        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
-    },
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/out.gitignore b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/out.gitignore
index e566c51f740..622a8811a7b 100644
--- a/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/out.gitignore
+++ b/acceptance/bundle/templates/lakeflow-pipelines/sql/output/my_lakeflow_pipelines/out.gitignore
@@ -1,9 +1,4 @@
 .databricks/
-build/
-dist/
-__pycache__/
-*.egg-info
-.venv/
 scratch/**
 !scratch/README.md
 **/explorations/**
diff --git a/acceptance/pipelines/e2e/output/lakeflow_project/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/pipelines/e2e/output/lakeflow_project/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..b958aacfcb4 100644
--- a/acceptance/pipelines/e2e/output/lakeflow_project/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/pipelines/e2e/output/lakeflow_project/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/pipelines/init/python/output/my_python_project/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/pipelines/init/python/output/my_python_project/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..b958aacfcb4 100644
--- a/acceptance/pipelines/init/python/output/my_python_project/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/pipelines/init/python/output/my_python_project/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
deleted file mode 100644
index 0edd5181bc5..00000000000
--- a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-# Typings for Pylance in Visual Studio Code
-# see https://github.com/microsoft/pyright/blob/main/docs/builtins.md
-from databricks.sdk.runtime import *
diff --git a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/extensions.json b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/extensions.json
index 5ba48e79c9b..1f39c330871 100644
--- a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/extensions.json
+++ b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 {
     "recommendations": [
         "databricks.databricks",
-        "redhat.vscode-yaml",
-        "charliermarsh.ruff"
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/settings.json b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/settings.json
index d73c73b5705..d3e814885cb 100644
--- a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/settings.json
+++ b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/.vscode/settings.json
@@ -1,39 +1,5 @@
 {
-    "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.codeRegex": "^# COMMAND ----------|^# Databricks notebook source|^(#\\s*%%|#\\s*\\<codecell\\>|#\\s*In\\[\\d*?\\]|#\\s*In\\[ \\])",
-    "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.default": "# COMMAND ----------",
-    "python.testing.pytestArgs": [
-        "."
-    ],
-    "files.exclude": {
-        "**/*.egg-info": true,
-        "**/__pycache__": true,
-        ".pytest_cache": true,
-        "dist": true,
-    },
     "files.associations": {
         "**/.gitkeep": "markdown"
     },
-
-    // Pylance settings (VS Code)
-    // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
-    "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "off",
-    "python.analysis.extraPaths": ["src", "lib", "resources"],
-    "python.analysis.diagnosticMode": "workspace",
-    "python.analysis.stubPath": ".vscode",
-
-    // Pyright settings (Cursor)
-    // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "off",
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.extraPaths": ["src", "lib", "resources"],
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.diagnosticMode": "workspace",
-    "cursorpyright.analysis.stubPath": ".vscode",
-
-    // General Python settings
-    "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "./.venv/bin/python",
-    "python.testing.unittestEnabled": false,
-    "python.testing.pytestEnabled": true,
-    "[python]": {
-        "editor.defaultFormatter": "charliermarsh.ruff",
-        "editor.formatOnSave": true,
-    },
 }
diff --git a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/out.gitignore b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/out.gitignore
index e566c51f740..622a8811a7b 100644
--- a/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/out.gitignore
+++ b/acceptance/pipelines/init/sql/output/my_sql_project/out.gitignore
@@ -1,9 +1,4 @@
 .databricks/
-build/
-dist/
-__pycache__/
-*.egg-info
-.venv/
 scratch/**
 !scratch/README.md
 **/explorations/**
diff --git a/libs/template/template.go b/libs/template/template.go
index b8448936bea..cb2e1a8e3a2 100644
--- a/libs/template/template.go
+++ b/libs/template/template.go
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ var databricksTemplates = []Template{
 	{
 		name:        DefaultMinimal,
 		description: "The minimal template, for advanced users",
+		aliases:     []string{"empty"},
 		Reader:      &builtinReader{name: string(DefaultMinimal)},
 		Writer:      &writerWithFullTelemetry{defaultWriter: defaultWriter{name: DefaultMinimal}},
 	},
diff --git a/libs/template/template_test.go b/libs/template/template_test.go
index 4692f0acb2a..b0a5b6c641b 100644
--- a/libs/template/template_test.go
+++ b/libs/template/template_test.go
@@ -84,4 +84,5 @@ func TestTemplateGetDatabricksTemplate(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Assert aliases work.
 	assert.Equal(t, MlopsStacks, GetDatabricksTemplate(TemplateName("mlops-stack")).name)
+	assert.Equal(t, DefaultMinimal, GetDatabricksTemplate(TemplateName("empty")).name)
 }
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json b/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json
index 7faec4a5cb7..ba74e1160e2 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default-minimal/databricks_template_schema.json
@@ -63,13 +63,15 @@
             "order": 6
         },
         "personal_schemas": {
+            "//": "Always 'yes' for default-minimal: development uses a personal schema based on the current user name",
+            "skip_prompt_if": {},
             "type": "string",
-            "description": "Use a personal schema for each user working on this project\n(this is recommended, your personal schema will be '{{.default_catalog}}.{{short_name}}')",
             "default": "yes",
             "enum": [
                 "yes",
                 "no, I will customize the schema configuration later in databricks.yml"
             ],
+            "description": "Use a personal schema for each user working on this project",
             "order": 7
         },
         "language_choice": {
@@ -79,15 +81,15 @@
             "enum": [
                 "python",
                 "sql",
-                "other"
+                "skip"
             ],
             "order": 8
         },
         "language": {
-            "//": "Derived from language_choice: for Python, pyproject.toml and tests are included; for others they are excluded",
+            "//": "Mirrors language_choice: 'python' includes pyproject.toml and tests, 'sql' includes SQL sources, 'skip' includes neither",
             "skip_prompt_if": {},
             "type": "string",
-            "default": "{{if eq .language_choice \"python\"}}python{{else}}sql{{end}}",
+            "default": "{{.language_choice}}",
             "description": "Derived language property for template logic",
             "order": 9
         },
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl b/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl
index b3f1d25039c..5bbdc888e2b 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/__preamble.tmpl
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ This file only contains template directives; it is skipped for the actual output
 {{$notebook_job := eq .include_job "yes"}}
 {{$python_package := eq .include_python "yes"}}
 {{$sql_language := eq .language "sql"}}
+{{$python_language := eq .language "python"}}
 {{$lakeflow_only := eq .lakeflow_only "yes"}}
 {{$pydabs := eq .enable_pydabs "yes"}}
 {{$has_python_package_dir := and (or $python_package $notebook_job $pipeline) (not $lakeflow_only)}}
@@ -35,15 +36,16 @@ This file only contains template directives; it is skipped for the actual output
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/src/{{.project_name}}_etl/transformations/*.sql"}}
 {{end}}
 
-{{if or $sql_language $lakeflow_only}}
+{{if or (not $python_language) $lakeflow_only}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/tests"}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/fixtures"}}
 {{else if not (or $python_package $notebook_job $pipeline)}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/tests/sample_*.py"}}
 {{end}}
 
-{{if $sql_language}}
+{{if not $python_language}}
   {{skip "{{.project_name}}/pyproject.toml"}}
+  {{skip "{{.project_name}}/.vscode/__builtins__.pyi"}}
 {{end}}
 
 {{if $pydabs}}
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.gitignore.tmpl b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.gitignore.tmpl
index e566c51f740..e400f0256cc 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.gitignore.tmpl
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.gitignore.tmpl
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 .databricks/
+{{- if eq .language "python"}}
 build/
 dist/
 __pycache__/
 *.egg-info
 .venv/
+{{- end}}
 scratch/**
 !scratch/README.md
 **/explorations/**
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/extensions.json.tmpl b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/extensions.json.tmpl
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f1cf722e7fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/extensions.json.tmpl
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{
+    "recommendations": [
+{{- if eq .language "python"}}
+        "charliermarsh.ruff",
+{{- end}}
+        "databricks.databricks",
+        "redhat.vscode-yaml"
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/settings.json b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/settings.json.tmpl
similarity index 94%
rename from libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/settings.json
rename to libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/settings.json.tmpl
index d73c73b5705..e1dae324628 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/settings.json
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/.vscode/settings.json.tmpl
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 {
+{{- if eq .language "python"}}
     "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.codeRegex": "^# COMMAND ----------|^# Databricks notebook source|^(#\\s*%%|#\\s*\\<codecell\\>|#\\s*In\\[\\d*?\\]|#\\s*In\\[ \\])",
     "jupyter.interactiveWindow.cellMarker.default": "# COMMAND ----------",
     "python.testing.pytestArgs": [
@@ -10,9 +11,11 @@
         ".pytest_cache": true,
         "dist": true,
     },
+{{- end}}
     "files.associations": {
         "**/.gitkeep": "markdown"
     },
+{{- if eq .language "python"}}
 
     // Pylance settings (VS Code)
     // Set typeCheckingMode to "basic" to enable type checking!
@@ -36,4 +39,5 @@
         "editor.defaultFormatter": "charliermarsh.ruff",
         "editor.formatOnSave": true,
     },
+{{- end}}
 }
diff --git a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/README.md.tmpl b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/README.md.tmpl
index bca68edc2fb..486df502f4e 100644
--- a/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/README.md.tmpl
+++ b/libs/template/templates/default/template/{{.project_name}}/README.md.tmpl
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 # {{.project_name}}
 
-{{- $skip_tests := or (eq .language "sql") (eq .lakeflow_only "yes")}}
+{{- $skip_tests := or (ne .language "python") (eq .lakeflow_only "yes")}}
 {{- $has_python_package_dir := and (or (eq .include_python "yes") (eq .include_job "yes") (eq .include_pipeline "yes")) (not (eq .lakeflow_only "yes"))}}
 {{- $is_lakeflow := eq .lakeflow_only "yes"}}
 
 The '{{.project_name}}' project was generated by using the {{.template_name}} template.
 
-* `src/`: {{if eq .language "sql"}}SQL{{else}}Python{{end}} source code for this project.
+* `src/`: {{if eq .language "sql"}}SQL{{else if eq .language "python"}}Python{{else}}Any{{end}} source code for this project.
 {{- if $has_python_package_dir}}
   * `src/{{.project_name}}/`: Shared Python code that can be used by jobs and pipelines.
 {{- end}}
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Choose how you want to work on this project:
 
 (c) With command line tools, see https://docs.databricks.com/dev-tools/cli/databricks-cli.html
 
-{{- if not $is_lakeflow}}
+{{- if and (eq .language "python") (not $is_lakeflow)}}
 
 If you're developing with an IDE, dependencies for this project should be installed using uv: